Centrifugal compressor



July 1,1930. l B. s. HUGHES 1,769,260

GENTRFUGAL COMPRESSOR lFiled. Sept. ZZ 1926 WHO-:Maghi Patented vJulyll, 1493()l f f s Y.

cumin. smits BU'ItT'oNspii-Usiilisjor Busseto, New *roma y orurnrrnelircotrrerss'on Alipncauon md september 22,' ieee. .serial No. YleaseayThis rinvention relates to a V`centrifilgal lar hub 16 at vone endjournaled ina suitcompressor or Vacuum pump which. has been lable.bearing 17 located between the ksucdesigned more particularly'forcompressing tion and inipellerchambers, asshown v1n' gases or iiuids,but which may also be used Fig) Land a collar 18 at its opposite Vend asa dry Vacuum pump for removing alrastened to ajdrlving shaft l19Journaled in 55 vtrom' surfaceeondensers in power plantsor a bearing20`1n ythe adjacent' endy oit the,

as a Wetyaeuum pump for removingboth pump-casing and driven byanyffsuitablen air and Water from surfaceor )et condensers means. Thei'mpeller is hollow, as shown,

"or from heating systems inbuildings. audits gas-receiving chamber 2lcommuni- One of .the objects of the invention isthe Cates With the`suction.chamber il. through so provision of a pump of this characterwhich themedium` of the tubular hubl. In its is simple, compactanddurable in eonstrucperipheral Walhthe impeller has a plurality tion,which is reliable and efficient inopera of rows ot snbsttmtially radialopenings :or tion, and Whose parts areso organized and capillary tubes22 Afor the dischargeei the l arranged as to reduce the rictional lossestor gas. and liquid by centrifugal torce into. 65 Y i aminimum.- 1 v thesurrounding yportion of 'y the impeller Another object is to provide thepump chamber. Completely surroundingtl'ie im! Withnoyel. meansforeiecting the coinpres-k peller and att'achedfto the samebysuitablesion of the throughthe medium jota brackets 23, so as to revolvetherewith, is

A liquid circulated'through Athe pump. f Shroud 24 havinginwardly-facing fianges 7e tact with the liquid and thus be maintainedable'` distance beyond Lthe periphery or" said A still object o thevinvention is 25 at its opposite ends Which are yspaced kto S0 Constructthe pump that the gasbeing from the contiguous side Walls of thejimcompressed-.Will be kept in intimate `con'-` peller and which extendinwardly a suit'-,

closet@ the temperature ofthe liquid, wheres impeller. -v Curved bladesQG'Larried` by 'the 7o by the compression Will closely approach impellerand extending into itschamber 21a the Aisothermal and result in aconsiderable Serve to intercept and direct theliquidl usedr savingoi'power over the adiabatic coinp'res- Ol fCmpeillg the DO the Clp'llaysion ofthe other types ofcompressors. tubes, there being one bladedisposed along In the accompanying drawings: Y side each row of tubesand/each blade beingyFigure l is a central longitudinal sectionl 'curvedvin direction to extend over the..` of centrifugal compressororpur'npjeinmouths of its companion tubes. vThe tips. bodying myinvention. Figure 2 is ai of the bladesjare suitably spaced' fromr onetransYerSe SGC61-0H-1GI9O 011 lm e QfQrFlgf anotherv to per-init-` theadmission of liquid" l; Figure V1s `a11" en1t1g l 1'&gmf1tly and gasbetween adjoining blades and thence SfCJlO-la'l, V'lecW Showing,thefllfclulatlon 0f* into the capillary tubes. Arranged vin the hquld.and gasthpugh the Capharyttlbes' 'periphery of the iinpeller andbetween the Sfmtldrlpcham'mrsvo :reeretn Indica?? rovfvsv of ytubes 22aretransverse Vgroo'vesror p aivivessponc lngpar s n iougnou ie severaresises?? which function lsv ntlie preferred construction ofthe' pumpalle gas. tites@ girovle Opening at* ,mm shown in they draWin-gs,'thensaine'v consists en S lnt9-the unpghet Chtlmlfel" The bQSSeS of a:ylindricalcasing lO'having a suction OT spmfhke 28 @Smiling .from 'themChamber 11i including an. mt l2 fr the M transverse grooves extend partWay into the mission f'ga's or other fluid t'ofbe compressed Shroud 01'beyond tlm Slde, flanges hee- 95 and animpeller cli mberl having anout;v Of, and tlBfWatcl" or other liquidv which isf l ber isa rotor oriinpeller' lhavinga-tub'ublot-ving inwardly or'back through one .or i

let for/ the V(ilisc'harg'e of the compressed Contained therein duringthe operation of. gas and thev liquidused for compressing. the pumpforms aV seal forthe outerends ofv i' Rotatably mounted in the impellerchamthe capillary tubes, thus preventing the gas `while the other? plateis 31 supported on a'cover 32 applied to the suction end of thepump-casing. Stufliug boxes 33 and 34 are provided for preventingleakage of the liquid or gas from the impeller chamber into the suctionchamber and from the former along the driving shaft 19.

lVhile the impeller 15 may be of any suitable construction, that shownin the drawings is composed ofspaced'end plates between the outerportions of which is fastened a ring 36 containing the tubes or openings22. One of the plates has the tubular hub 16 formed integrally therewithprovided with the shaft-engaging collar 18. 1

pressor is as follows Y Assume the impeller 15 together with its shroud24 and blades 26 to be rotating at a high lspeed by power applied tothedriving shaft 19, Vthe gas or otherfluid to be compressed entering thechamber 21 of the impeller through the suction inlet 12;` and the wateror other suitable liquid discharging from the distributer head 29. Thewater issues from the latter in a plurality of comparatively thin sheetsat the required velocityto project it into the path of the movingimpeller blades. Each blade intercepts and receives a small quantityofthe water discharged fromV the distributingv head, and due to theshape of the blades and the speed of rotation ofthe impeller, this watertravels rapidly by centrifugal force along the inside curved surfaces ofthe bladesand outwardly into the companion capillary tubes 22. Thevarious elements of,V

`vthe compressor are so designed and proportioned that Vthe quantity ofwater intercepted by a given blade from one of the several sheetsissuing from the distributing' Vhead is only sufficient to fill afraction of the length of thecorresponding row of tubes. Hence, before a`blade intercepts a second supply of water from the next sheet, thefirst supply has traveled outwardly in the tubes and the space left bysuch movement is filled with the gas to be compressed. The second supplyof water intercepted by the blades fol,- lows the gas into theircompanion tubes, thereby compressing the gas and forcing it outwardnearer the outlet ends of the tubes. This action is repeated as theblades continue to intercept the various sheets of water, which may beas numerous as the alternate i n entrance of water and gas intothe tubeswillV ermit so as to obtain the maximum volume P v WhenA the compressedgasvreaches the outlet Yends of the capillary tubes, 1t is dischargedintoV vthe water contained in the shroud 24;, this water acting as aseal for preventing the gas blowing back vthrough one `or more tubes.Because Y of the rapid rotation of the impeller, the gas is displacedfrom the shroud and' emerges from the water therein into the from water.The gas iiows through these ports in either direction anddischargesjinto the surroundingl portion of `thevimpeller chamber 13.From the latter, theV Vand water pass through the pump outlet- 14 to aoughly separated. Y

It will be understood from the foregoing that as the impeller-carryingtubes 22 are of capillary dimensions for the liquidv used, no liquid canpass through them except in lthe form of asolid'plug Vcarrying the gasbefore it; Furthermore, no tube can get into a state of balance betweenthe resistance due to theV pressure on its outer end and the movingforce of the contained liquid, for the i Y suitable receiver'. in which`they are thor- The operation of this centrifugal com! reason that theliquid is Vsupplied at frequent intervals to the inner end of the tube.

' The water usedfor compressing the gas empties from the tube 22 intothe shroud 24,

transverse groovesor ports 27 which are free l thus establishing andconstantly-maintainc ing the liquidv seal; the surplus water in theshroud is thrown Vout into the impeller chamber and thence through itsdischarge. Liquids of any density may be employed in the operation ofthis pump, water, however, serving for mostconditions. For high pressurecompressions, water solutions of high specific gravity, such as calciumchloride may be used; and for extremelyV high pressures or high vacua,mercury may be employed. i

i This centrifugal compressor may be used i as a'dry vacuum pump forremoving air from surface condensers in power plants, or as a wet vacuumpump for removing both air and water from surface or jet condensers.rFurthermore, it has low frictional losses dueto the impeller revolvingin a gaslled casing and not being immersed in a liquid; lalso by using acool liquid, the gas will be kept close to the temperature of the liquidduring compression asit is in intimate contact therewith and with thetubewalls which are. cooledrand wettedby the liquid. Y

In addition to the uses above mentioned,

intenso. 7, f 'y ,3

this pnmp can beemployedor. compressing steam in a E reconipiession yevaporator sysK temvby iising .a liquider solution,having` i-lclaim asmy invention -f gas and l'quid inlets and af'dischargafan im# pcllerfrotatableY in said casing, said 'im-pell'ern 'having peripheralthepassagefof` the gasand-the liq lf,- andl blades carried bytheimpelllerv and disposedadjacent the inletjjendso intercepting anddirect" successive ch arges of liquid and gasto said` impeller openings.

2. A compressor `ofM the character described, comprising a pump-casinghaving an inlet for the gas tobe compressed and an impeller chamberhaving a discharge, animpeller rotatable iii said. chamber and'having agas-receiving y rchamber Acommunieating with said inlet, the peripheryof saidA impeller having discharge passagesi'or the gas, andbladescarried by the impeller'and ex# tending into the gas-receiving 'chamberthereof forv directing' liquid to said passages' for compressing the gasandforcing. it outward into the impeller chamber, saidA blades'v beingcurved in a direction to extend over thel 'inlet ends oi theimpeller-passages to hold a quantity of liquid and the tips of saidblades being spaced from one another to admit the liquid and gas betweenthem.

3. A compressor of the character described, comprising a pump-casingincluding an impeller chamber containing an outlet and a suction'chambercontaining a gas inlet, a' hollow impeller rotatable in said ini-ypeller chamber and communicating with.

said gas inlet and having discharge openings in its periphery, theimpeller including bladesdisposed substantially radially of its innerwall and adjacent the inletends oi its discharge openings, and means,for delivering a compressorfliquid intov the ypath of' travelof saidblades, said blades intercepting quantities'of liquid andthecentri'fugal force created bythe revolving impelle'r forcing theliquid from the blades into saikll imy' peller-openings. f

Li. `A compressor yof the character de# scribed, comprising apump-casing.havingV an inlet forcthe gas to be compressed and anvimpeller chamber having. a discharge, an

- impeller rotatable in said chamber and having a gasereceiving chambercommunicating withsaidinlet, the periphery of said im` peller having aplurality orn substantially radial dischargepassages for the fluid, a

j liquid-distributing means for delivering the liquid in thin radialsheet-s into the gas-re-v ceiving chamber of the impeller, and means`carried by the impeller for intercepting the sheets of liquid anddirecting 'them intosaid v Limpeller passages.

having ischa'rgo openings for openings 'for 5.,y A" ycompressor :j ofthe. characterA kdef 1 scribed, comprisinga: pump-casing 'having aninlet for .the gas tobe compfessednd.. Y.

an impeller chamberfhavingadischarge, an, impeller vrotatable in-*saidchamber andy having a ygas-,receiving chamberl communicating'Wvithgsaidiinlet, the ,peripherynofgsaid im-l peller having .apluralityfof passages for .f

conductingtlie gasinto the iinpel'lerrhaim. l y

ber, blades carriedyby the impeller-and exi' 'n.g; into itsgas-receiving chamber, and means for deliveringsheets of liquidoutwardly into the latter, said blades' intercept-,i v

ing saidsheets and directing theyliquidinto `the.'impellerqoassages tocompress force the :gas therethrough-, K Y 1. f

G. compressor-,off the cliaracterde scribed ,I comprising a pump-casing;.having ani-inlet'- Afor the gas to be compressedgand- `an impellerchamber having a discharge, anj impe-ller rotatable in said chamber,'and Y ing'A a fgasggrec'' eiving'` .chamber commu-nica ngi with, sai-dinlet, the periphery oisa'id n!A pellerghaving a pluralitygo passages'for condiictingthe fluid intoithe impellercham;A

ber', blades carried by the lfmpeller and;

- tending intoits gas-receiving?chamber,

means for delivering slieetsfo liqiiid vout-- Wardly kinto .the latter,:said/'blades...being curved and, extending over the inletI ends ofv thef ,inipeller-passagesj- ,andV f adapted to; VVre'-v ceive and directthe-)liquid 1 intercepted tliem into said passages', whereby tlieggasfis?r compressed and forced through the Sailliein'-l i totheysiirroundingimpeller chamber.. i

A Y -,or'i'ipressorL4 'off' the character dee lili) 'i inlet for the gas.tolbe compressedgand a'n rimpel/ler chamber having av` discharge,;`anim Y pel-ler 1 having' peripheral discharge passages rotatable in saidchamber and communicat= j :inipeller having peripheral discharge pas,-

scribed, comprising a pumpcasing having" van 'inletl for the lgigas-jte,be compressed andE an impeller,chamberhaving,adischarge, an' y fi 4sagesrota-tableinsaid chamberand commii-V ffnicat-ingWith,.saidluidlinlemmeans1for ad.- l

initting a liquidaintofthe inip'eller, means for flirectingoharges `ofthen iiid and the'liq'uid" tosaid impeller passages, and a` .shroudcar-V riedv byv andv encirclingfthe im'peller andiV adapted tol-receivethe'v liquid andgasex. pelledfrom said impeller-passages, theoutlet-ends oier thelatter extending into the li-vv`lquid,contz'iined*in the shroud.- y i' v 9; compressor vor thelcharacter de?y scribed, comprising pumpfca's'ing-L haying .an inlet forthe gas to be compressedandrianrl impeller chamber having a1discharge,fanim,

izof

YVsaid impellerrpassages, the periphery of the impeller havinggas-escapement ports bepeller having Aperipheral Vdischarge passagesrotatable in said chamber and communicating xvithsaid gas-inlet, meansfor admitting a liquid intoV the impeller, means for-directing chargesof the gas andthe liquid tovsaid impeller-passages,anda shroud carriedby and encircling the impeller and adaptedto receive the liquid and gasexpelled from tween adjoining passages, and the outlet ends ofthe latterextending into the liquid contained in the shroud. c

`l0. A compressor of the character described, comprising a pump-casinghaving an inlet for the gas to be compressed and an impeller chamberhaving a discharge, an 1mvpeller having'peripheral dischargepassagesrotatable in said chamber and communicatscribed, Y comprising j apump-casing having an inlet and anV outlet lfor both liquidand gas,`'anrimpellerV rotatable in Vsaid'qcasing and including va centralchamber communi- V@ating with said'gas and liquid inlet, said`impellerhaving a plurality of peripheral* Vdischarge openingsVcommunicating jatV their inner ends With the chamber of the impeller,

blades carried by the impeller'an'd extendingl into itsch'amberxalongside the discharge openingsand over the mouths thereof andshaped to receive and direct the liquid inter'- Vceptedby them intosaidjdischarge openings.

' VBURTONS.

ing With said gas-inlet, means for admittingV q Y -f a liquid into theimpeller, means for Vdirecting charges of the gas and the liquid to said`impellerfpassages,and a` shroud carried by and encircling the'impellerland having annularlanges at its opposite edges extending inwardlybeyond'the periphery of' the impeller, said` shroud being adapted toreceive theV liquid and gas expelled from said im- .i peller-passages,thevoutlet ends of the latter a extending into the liquid contained inthe shroud and the periphery of the impeller having" gas-escapementports between adjoining x'passages communicating `With theimpeller-chamber. l

11. AnV impeller forma centrifugal compresser, comprising achambered-body having discharge passages, in its periphery,

bladessextending into the interior of said body for directing gas andliquid into said passages, and a shroud carried by and sur-- roundingthe periphery of said body.

l2; An impeller `for a centrifugalbompressor, comprising achambered-body hav-V ing substantially radial dischargey passages, andtransverse' grooves in its periphery disposed alternatelybetvveen theoutlet ends of said passages, and blades extending into the interior ofsaid body for directing gas and liquid into said passages,said groovesform- Y ing escapement ports for lthe gas.

. 13. An impeller for a centrifugal `compressor, comprising achambered-bodyhav- 'ing substantially radial discharge passages andtransverse grooves in its peripheryldis-V posed `alternately between theoutlet vends ot lLA compressor, ofl the characterfde-v

